His eyes didn’t flinch as he met her gaze. Didn’t even blink. They were so light and translucent today, almost…turquoise, like the color of his short-sleeved shirt. Her gaze drifted to the dusting of dark hair on his forearms that—
Focus, girl.
She jetted out a breath. Unfortunately, she believed him.
God. What a sucker she’d been back then. All this time, she’d bought Meredith’s story, hook, line, and sinker
. Why would she lie about something like that? Allie supposed a materialistic girl who hoped to move up the school social ladder could have thought she’d improve her standing by bragging that someone with Sam’s stature—the hot captain of the varsity soccer team—found her desirable. Even at the price of breaking Allie’s heart.
It was ridiculous how buoyant Allie felt knowing the truth.
“Don’t act like it’s the craziest idea I’ve come up with,” she said. “Meredith is tall, slim, beautiful… Exactly the type of woman every man dreams of dating.”
He looked at her incredulously. “I don’t know about all men, but for myself, Meredith is not the type of woman I dream about. I like a woman of more…substance.”
She looked away, heat flushing her cheeks. He wasn’t referring to her. Was he…?
He continued, his voice taking on a teasing tone. “Besides, why were you such an expert on my dating life in high school? We hardly knew each other.”
Was he serious? He really didn’t know?
Surely, Meredith would have said something to him by now. If only to humiliate her. But from the perplexed look on his face as he studied her, she could assume he was being truthful.
“Can’t you guess?” She started to cover her face with a hand and stopped. No. Don’t let him see how much it still plagued her. She placed her fingers on the mouse again and tried to act nonchalant. “I had it bad for you back then. It could hardly have been a secret. The stalking and googly-eyed glances didn’t tip you off?”
His chair creaked as Sam sat back more comfortably, his head tilted to one side as he considered her, a wide smile stretching across his face. “Really? The impervious Ms. Allie McBride had the hots for me back in high school, huh? Interesting.”
She scowled. “Why is that so interesting? It’s pathetic, really. I can’t believe I told you.”
“Not pathetic. Cute.”
“Right. Really adorable, having the nerdy, fat girl stalk you.” She focused on the computer screen, hoping her tone was flippant. But even to her ears, it sounded bitter.
The chair next to her creaked again, and he returned his hand to her arm, causing a flurry of little wings inside her belly. Was his touch always going to do this to her?
His gaze was still on her. Reluctantly, she met it. “What?”
“Allie, I never would have considered you that way. Not just because that description is cruel and hateful, but because it’s simply not true.” He took a breath in and exhaled it loudly. “I can see how maybe, growing up with some of the censure I saw from your family, you might think that. And God knows when I was in high school I had my own share of self-doubt.”
She had a really hard time believing that.
“But you’re wrong. When I remember what you were like, I remember a fresh-faced young girl, hopeful and smart and sweet. Maybe a tad on the young side for me.” His eyes twinkled. “Then. But with a good heart and infinite possibility.” He looked away from her.
Was he regretting what he’d said? Her chest squeezed.
But when he looked back at her, he was smiling. “Allie, you were gorgeous. Please, don’t ever sell yourself short like that.”
She didn’t think she’d ever heard anything so wonderful in her life. She fought back tears. Not of sadness, but…of what, she didn’t quite know. But to hear how he thought about her really touched her heart. “Thanks. I… Thanks.”
And what did he mean about her being too young for him…then?
Okay, easy girl. Don’t get ahead of yourself.
Were they really even having this conversation? Besides, he was probably just being nice.
She cleared her throat, hoping to get back to more comfortable territory. “Anyway, Meredith seems to think you two have a connection. Maybe you can point out to her that if the video gets approval, she’ll receive airtime on that big screen at the gala. There will be several well-financed supporters present, along with the press. I doubt she’d turn down that opportunity. Coming from you, anyway.”
“How exactly do you propose I make this suggestion to her when I’ve been dodging her calls for the better part of two days?” he drawled.